NCT07347717

Digital Self-Compassion Writing Intervention to Support Mental Health of Parents of Autistic Individuals

A Digital Self-Compassion Writing Intervention to Improve the Mental Health of Parents of Autistic Individuals

• Status: Active Not Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 240 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Macau · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a digital self-compassion writing intervention for parents of autistic individuals. Participants will engage in a 14-day self-compassion writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. The study seeks to answer the following questions: * Is the study design and digital self-compassion writing intervention feasible and acceptable for parents of autistic individuals? * Does the intervention lead to greater improvements in self-compassion and mental health outcomes compared to the control group? * Do baseline characteristics moderate the intervention effect compared to the control group? * Among intervention participants, do satisfaction and usage patterns predict greater improvements in outcomes? * Does improvement in self-compassion mediate changes in mental health outcomes?

Conditions

• Mental Health

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Self-compassion writing group	This digital intervention is a 14-day writing program delivered via a WeChat mini-program. Each day, participants complete a two-step writing task: (1) mindfully describe an event and their feelings, and (2) support themselves with self-kindness. Daily reminders are sent to encourage engagement. Each session takes approximately 5 minutes. The program is tailored for parents of autistic individuals to provide a brief, low-cost mental health support option for chronically stressed caregivers.
BEHAVIORAL	Control group (placebo)	Participants in the control group use the same mini-program for 14 days but complete factual writing tasks. They are instructed to recall their day and describe events objectively, without emotional content or cognitive reframing. This controls for time, attention, and writing activity.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-16
• Primary completion: 2026-02-05
• Completion: 2026-02-05
• First posted: 2026-01-16
• Last updated: 2026-01-16

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Macau